His Mortal Sin

3

Kianna

It’s been two days since my life turned into a spiral. I haven’t seen much of Dad. Trish went back to the States, leaving me alone with my new bodyguard.

I hated how I watched his huge, sculptured back—which was, by the way, hidden under that suit he wore now—that made him look undeniably sexy, like I was a common fly he could squash.

“Maybe he could,” my inner voice thought.

I shook my head, clearing all manner of unholy thoughts that came to my head anytime I got a glimpse of him.

Which was, by the way, strange.

I sighed, sipping my unfinished matcha as I focused on the files on my laptop filled with the school project.

I rubbed my temple to ease the migraine that accompanied the files.

I hated college. The work that came with it was tiring and boring. I just wanted to lay on my mattress and sleep the day away.

Well, I know that won’t get me a degree or make me a good heir to my father’s company.

“Miss George.” The sound of Helene’s voice—the cook—made me look up from my screen as she walked up to me… well, not without giving an unholy, flirty look to Zane that immediately made me gag, despite the fact that we were both the same age.

“Good day, Mr. Lowe,” she teased, drinking him in from head to toe.

I couldn’t see Zane’s reaction due to his back being turned to me, but from the bitter smile that pulled on Helene’s face, I was sure he gave her no reaction at all.

And for no certain reason, happiness bubbled in the depth of my stomach.

“You seem to handle Miss George so well. I’m sure you’ve done this—”

“What do you want, Helene?” I cut her off. Taking her gaze off him to me, she gave one of those fake smiles that used to make me want to laugh at how her face contorted—but now, it didn’t amuse me at all. For no reason.

“Nothing,” she replied, shrugging. “Just wanted to check up on you.”

“That’s not your job,” I snapped suddenly, surprising both me and her. Under normal circumstances, I wasn’t rude or bossy. I was the kind of lady of the house who was polite, nice, and friendly.

Why now? Why did I feel so on edge when she teased my bodyguard or tried to flirt with him?

Helene stiffened immediately, bowing down in apology. “I’m sorry, miss. It won’t happen again,” she said hurriedly before rushing out as if her pants were on fire.

Guilt pooled in my chest as I watched her head back to the kitchen… before Zane, for the first time today, turned to look at me—with judgment in those fiery eyes that made me marvel—before a smirk appeared and disappeared just as it came.

I knew what he was thinking… that maybe I was a spoiled brat. Well, I guess I have to prove him wrong then.

I scoffed, standing up from my seat in the living room before making my way into the kitchen.

Helene stood beside the coffee machine, whipping up some matcha—probably for me. And just like that, guilt clawed down my chest.

“Helene,” I called softly. She paused before turning to me with her head down.

“I… didn’t mean to interrupt your work, miss.”

“You didn’t,” I said. “I’m sorry for snapping at you.”

“No—”

“Let me finish,” I cut her off again, walking toward her before taking her hands. “You did nothing wrong.”

She looked up at me with tears brimming in her eyes. “Thank you.” Helene wiped her tears quickly, muttering something about the oven before scurrying out.

I turned… only to find Zane leaning against the doorway, watching me.

“I didn’t know jealousy made you so bold,” he said casually.

My heart skipped. “Excuse me?”

He shrugged, his lips curving faintly. “You don’t have to apologize to her. I’m used to people fighting for attention.”

“The hell…” I stopped, realizing how defensive I sounded.

He stepped closer, and suddenly the air felt too warm. “Then what were you doing, Miss George?”

I opened my mouth but paused as a thought flashed through my head.

I didn’t have to defend myself over my bodyguard—especially when he knew nothing about me.

I tilted my head. “Aren’t you meant to be protecting me, Mr. Lowe? Or are you interested in my personal life now?”

He stared down at me, his eyes flicking to my lips and neck for a brief moment, which made my pulse beat faster than normal.

But that stopped the moment he uttered lazily,

“I don’t have to protect anything that’s already broken.”

My gut twisted. The sudden flash of my mother’s face made a shiver run down my spine.

I didn’t know what happened next, because the next thing that echoed was a resounding—

Smack.

My palm burned while Zane stood still like nothing happened—which contrasted with the mark of my palm on his pale cheek.

“One more word from you and you’re fired,” I gritted.

Zane didn’t flinch.

He didn’t even blink.

But something flickered in his eyes… something dark, unreadable.

My hand trembled, the sting of my slap still burning my palm. The sound of it echoed in my ears—louder than it should have.

“I don’t have to protect anything that’s already broken.”

The words replayed again, stabbing at the walls I’d built years ago.

When I was six, my mother had looked me in the eyes and said almost the same thing.

That I was a mistake.

That she never wanted me.

Tears didn’t come… they never did. Not since that day.

I straightened my spine, refusing to look weak before him.

“If you’re done insulting me, Mr. Lowe,” I whispered, “get out of my sight.”

He watched me for a second… then left with a clenched jaw.

In a blur, the day came to an end—so did I—with the project. I slammed my laptop shut before flopping onto my bed.

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes before mumbling a small, “Thank goodness.”

The creak of my door opening and closing made my eyes flutter open.

“Your father seeks your presence.” Zane stood expressionless.

I sat up, frowning at how he barged into my room without knocking. “Who let you inside my room?”

Zane stared down at me with an I don’t give a damn look. “Your father demands to see you.”

“My father doesn’t demand my presence; he asks for me,” I bit back.

“There’s no difference.”

“There are so many differences. Now answer my goddamn question,” I snapped. “Did I tell you to enter my room?”

Another round of silence followed, and I could literally feel my blood boil under my skin.

Zane’s jaw flexed, which threw me off guard for a quick second at how attractive that was.

“Your door wasn’t closed, princess,” he gritted.

“So what? You could’ve still knocked, yet you barged in. I could have been naked or worse!” I yelled, trying hard to tone down my anger.

His eyes darkened. “Are you done yelling?”

I glared at him. “Tell my father I’m asleep,” I said, turning to the other side of my bed, feigning sleep.

I could feel his eyes on my back. My pulse raced, and what followed immediately was the sound of my door being jammed closed.

I didn’t know what thought crossed my mind; all I could feel were tears falling down my cheeks.

“Mom.”

Her name slipped from my lips, and suddenly the room dissolved around me.

I was small again, standing in the doorway of our new apartment. My mother’s eyes met mine…cold and distant—as if she were staring at something that had ruined her life.

A mistake.

That’s what she’d called me.

A temptation.

A burden she never wanted.

Her lips moved, but the words twisted into whispers that sounded like wind and fire. The light around her dimmed until everything turned black.

A sudden warmth circled my waist.

My breath caught.

I turned….and gasped.

Zane stood there, closer than he’d ever been, his eyes glowing faintly crimson in the dark. The air hummed, thick with danger and something that felt almost magnetic.

“Z-Zane?” I whispered, but my voice broke before his name was done. “Leave my room.”

He leaned in, his gaze pinning me to the spot. “You don’t mean what you say, princess,” he murmured, his voice rough….almost inhuman.

“W-what are you…” Before I could complete the sentence, he pulled me closer, his breath brushing against my skin.

It wasn’t a kiss…at least not one I could name. It was something darker, restrained, his lips grazing my neck just enough to make my pulse race.

“Zane…” My voice cracked as warmth pooled in my chest, confusion and fear tangling in my mind.

He hesitated. For a second, something human flickered in his crimson eyes…then vanished. His hand lingered near my collarbone, and I swore I felt the faintest scrape of his teeth against my skin.

A sharp pain…or maybe light….flashed across my neck.

I gasped, and everything went white.